Finest Servant

Chapter 179 Dispute (Part 1)

Was this really his dwelling? How had it transformed so drastically in just a few days of his absence? Lin Wanrong took a stroll around the room, only to spot several thread-bound books on the table. Picking one up, he found them to be copies of the Diamond Sutra.

A faint smile touched his lips. Who else but the Second Miss could have been reciting sutras in this Xiao mansion? Without question, she must have sneaked in to tidy up his room.

This young lady, so devoted to her Buddhist practice, naturally hoped that Lin Wanrong would join her in reciting scriptures. Little did she know that Lin Wanrong held no interest in the Diamond Sutra. Perhaps he might have been intrigued had it been the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra [TL: From one of Jin Yong’s novels, Return of the Condor Heroes].

The next day, Lin Wanrong indulged in a long, leisurely sleep. He was now the favored one in the eyes of the Madam and her daughters. His gardening duties had long been discarded. Apart from the Madam and her two daughters, no one dared order him around, allowing him complete freedom. To sleep until naturally awakened, to count money until his fingers cramped – truly, this was a life he'd always dreamed of.

"Brother San, Brother San, the Eldest Miss invites you to the council hall for a meeting," he heard the maid's familiar voice calling from outside, still half-asleep.

Unconcerned, Lin Wanrong yawned and asked, "What time, oh, what hour is it, sister outside?"

"It's noon," the maid outside giggled.

"It's still daylight, let me sleep a little longer," Lin Wanrong muttered to himself.

The “maid” outside grew impatient at his words and huffed, barging in to say, "Lin San, hurry up and get out of bed."

Gazing at Xiao Yushuang's face, Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Second Miss, why are you in such high spirits today, pretending to be a maid? I'm not sure I can handle it."

Xiao Yushuang knew he had recognized her voice long ago. Obviously, he was teasing her on purpose. Her face flushed with embarrassment, she huffed, "You, you returned last night and didn't even tell me. You made me worry all day."

Lin Wanrong had already risen from bed, chuckling, "When we returned yesterday, everyone in the mansion knew. With such commotion, how come no one informed you?"

Embarrassed, the Second Miss admitted, "I've been reciting Buddhist scriptures for the past few days, not allowing anyone to disturb me. I was tidying up your room last night and fell asleep reciting, unaware that you had returned."

This girl, she was truly devout. Ultimately, all for his sake. Touched, Lin Wanrong took her small hand and said, "Don't worry. If you're tired, rest. You don't have to read those scriptures. The Bodhisattva in heaven feeds on incense and requires silver, not sutras. I'll earn more silver and offer more incense, that should suffice."

Quickly, the Second Miss covered his mouth with her hand, "Lin San, don't say such things. Last time you and my sister were safe and sound, it was the Bodhisattva showing mercy. We must not disrespect them. Reciting sutras for a month for your sake is nothing. I'd be willing to recite for a lifetime."

Smelling the faint fragrance on her fingertips, Lin Wanrong felt a jolt in his heart and in surprise, asked, "Second Miss, are you using perfume?"

Xiao Yushuang's face flushed red. "I used some of Mother's rose perfume. Lin San, does it smell good?"

Good? It was intoxicatingly delightful. The fact that all three Xiao women had a fondness for rose perfume was incredibly amusing.

Pulling her hand towards him, Lin Wanrong said, "It smells wonderful, absolutely heavenly. Second Miss, you seem to have lost some weight these past few days."

Xiao Yushuang nodded, "I've been eating vegetarian dishes lately, so naturally, I have slimmed down a bit."

Fixing his gaze on the blossoming form of her chest, Lin Wanrong seriously advised, "Second Miss, you are in the prime of your adolescence. Many parts of you are growing rapidly. Relying solely on a vegetarian diet won't suffice. You must balance your diet with meat, which can promote the growth of your chest, ahem, your entire body. Come, let me embrace you and see how many pounds you have lost."

The Second Miss fled, her cheeks blushing crimson. "You're such a tease. I hate you so much. My sister told me that a woman's body is precious as her life, and shouldn't be touched by others."

Lin Wanrong recalled the night he had overheard the Eldest Miss teaching Yushuang self-defense in her room. He chuckled, "Second Miss, carrying that dagger on you is quite dangerous. Why don't you let me keep it safe for you? I'm a very proper man and never take advantage of others."

The Second Miss mumbled an acknowledgment, a blush creeping up her cheeks. She lowered her head slowly and said, "Lin San, you don't need to be afraid. The dagger is for my self-defense, against others, not you. Even though you're a rogue, I'm used to being bullied by you. Even if you bully me to death, I won't hold any grudges."

Feeling deeply touched, Lin Wanrong could only marvel. Who said this girl was only sixteen or seventeen? The words she spoke were so profound that not even a woman of twenty-six or twenty-seven could necessarily utter them. She moved him deeply.

After all, Xiao Yushuang was still young, like a blooming bud. Lin Wanrong, with the intent of 'fattening the pig before slaughtering,' did not overly tease her. They talked, he occasionally flirted, and they enjoyed their time together.

Lin Wanrong regaled Yushuang with the tales of his journey to Hangzhou. Being a master storyteller, his voice ebbed and flowed with the twists and turns of the narrative. The Second Miss listened with rapt attention. "Had I known it was so exciting, I would have gone too. Yesterday morning, Sister had sent people ahead to report what had happened. Lin San, you've done a great deed this time. Mother can't stop praising you, calling you the pillar of the Xiao family, destined for great achievements."

Hearing this, Lin Wanrong chuckled inwardly. The Xiao household was run by women, and yet, this time, he, a man, had become the 'half the sky.' He became increasingly curious about Madam Xiao. From what Xu Wei had said, Madam Xiao was a figure of importance in the capital years ago. Even a personage like Xu Wenchang held her in high regard. He wondered what her story was.

"Oh no—" Xiao Yushuang, who had been chatting with him, suddenly cried out. "What a disaster. Lin San, my sister is waiting for you in the council hall for the meeting. I forgot about it when I saw you. Hurry to the council hall."

However, Xiao Yushuang seemed to understand his thoughts. She looked at him with a shy smile, whispering, "You should speak nicely to Sister and Mother when you go there. Don't be as reckless as last time. If you get punished again, there won't be anyone to plead for you."

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily and left the cottage, heading towards the council hall. On the way, he bumped into the long-absent Young Master Guo Wuchang. Guo Wuchang was heading out, accompanied by Si De and a few tall and sturdy servants, looking rather enthusiastic. Seeing Lin San, Guo Wuchang immediately beamed, "Lin San, what you did this time was really satisfying!"

Confused, Lin Wanrong observed the spring-like enthusiasm on Guo Wuchang's face, wondering what he was up to. He jokingly said, "Young Master, it's still early. The Miaoyu Pavilion hasn't opened yet. You'll have to wait until evening for your... 'exchange'."

Guo Wuchang chuckled awkwardly, "Lin San, I'm not going for an 'exchange'. I'm going to browse the Tao family's store. Oh, I'm sorry, it should be the Xiao family's store now. Very satisfying, really satisfying! Let's see how that turtle Tao can boast now."

So, the Young Master was eager to seize the Tao family's property, Lin Wanrong thought, amused. He knew Guo Wuchang held no goodwill towards Tao Dongcheng. Naturally, Guo Wuchang couldn't wait to kick someone when they were down.

He wondered if someone had saved Tao Dongcheng. Experiencing the “Sky-Holding Pillar” was no fun. At least, Tao Dongcheng would need to visit the brothel to find three girls to solve the issue. Lin Wanrong smirked, concerned for Tao Dongcheng's delicate corpus cavernosum.

When Lin Wanrong arrived at the council hall, both the Eldest Miss and Madam Xiao were present, and the stewards from all over the Xiao estate were also sitting upright, seemingly waiting for his arrival. Upon seeing him, Madam Xiao stood up with a smile, "Lin San, you've worked hard."

Lin Wanrong laughed, "Madam, you're too kind. I'm just a messenger. The hardest work has been done by the Eldest Miss." Xiao Yuruo glanced at him, saying nothing.

"I've heard about the whole incident from Yuruo. This trip to Hangzhou not only allowed our Xiao family to reclaim the leading position in the Jinling Chamber of Commerce, but also to acquire the Tao family's cloth shop. Lin San, you have made the greatest contribution, and I will certainly reward you handsomely," Madam Xiao said with a smile.

"Oh, not at all, Madam. You're too kind. It's because of your strategic insight, combined with the Eldest Miss's pragmatic and diligent style, that we've achieved such significant success. I just played a tiny—tiny role in this, insignificant really," Lin Wanrong responded, with faux modesty.

Struggling to contain her laughter at Lin Wanrong's antics, the Eldest Miss addressed the managers in the hall, "Lin San has made the greatest contribution this time. After discussing with Mother, we have decided that from now on, Lin San can freely participate in discussions in this council hall. Does anyone object?"

Those present were all relatives of the Xiao family. Seeing a lowly servant on equal footing with them naturally caused some discontent. However, the story of Lin San's duel with Tao Dongcheng in the Sunshine and Rain Restaurant had already circulated widely. Especially the mysterious technique of 'oil pan hand washing', which had startled them, hence, no one voiced opposition.

Lin Wanrong found a seat and sat down. Glancing around, he thought to himself, 'Have I, old Lin, finally joined the Xiao family's board of directors? I wonder when I can become the chairman of the Xiao family board?'

Seeing Lin Wanrong settled, the Eldest Miss slightly nodded and said to the crowd, "Regarding the takeover of the Tao family's cloth shop, I would like to hear your opinions on how to proceed smoothly." The managers present were all related to the Xiao family, but the Eldest Miss was assertive in business matters, referring to them simply as managers, not uncles.

One of the managers stood up and said, "Niece Yuruo, taking over the cloth shop of Master Tao is absolutely not acceptable."

Lin Wanrong recognized this man. He was the one who had obstructed him when he heroically saved the Second Miss. He remembered having a verbal spat with this man, who seemed to be the patriarch's cousin, as Madam Xiao had once referred to him as "Fourth Brother."

Sure enough, upon hearing his words, the Eldest Miss's expression changed, and she coldly retorted, "Why is it unacceptable? I'd like to hear your reasons, Fourth Uncle."

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